Carrie Puzzar

After developing an interest in business whilst taking a Business Studies A Level, Carrie chose to come to UCLan and study on the BA(Hons) International Business course due to the wide-ranging nature of the degree.

Speaking of the course, Carrie said: “I knew it would leave me with a range of knowledge and experience that would be transferable into any career. We gained a solid grounding in all aspects of business in addition to learning about factors that affect global business.”

“My abiding memories of UCLan are of the friendly nature of the University. Every member of staff - whether academic or support - was helpful and made starting university a less daunting experience. It was brilliant to build good relationships with lecturers, some of whom I am still in touch with today.”

During the latter half of her final year, Carrie secured a permanent position with Lancashire Constabulary, working as a Police Recruitment Assistant. “Thanks to some fantastic lectures on HR, I decided that it was the career path for me, so the job was the perfect start to my career. The Police were fantastically supportive, allowing me to come back to UCLan and complete a Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management and Development. Following a period in generalist HR roles, I rose to the position of Police Recruitment Supervisor. After four years at the Police, ready for the next step, I was successful in winning a position as a HR Officer at UCLan,” she continued.

Carrie spent the next four and a half years at UCLan, whilst taking the part-time route to complete her MA in Personnel Management and Development. “It was great to come back to UCLan and contribute back to the organisation that had given me the grounding to get so far, so quickly in my career,” commented Carrie. However in 2009, she decided change was in order and moved across the world to Australia, where she has held a number of HR roles.

“I started off working as a Senior HR Consultant for the Government of Western Australia, where I provided support for all things HR - including recruitment, workplace relations and performance management. I then spent over a year as the HR Coordinator for the City of Greater Geraldton (local government), where I was responsible for the delivery of a general HR function, before moving to my current role as the Project Coordinator of two federally funded programs.”

“On a daily basis I coordinate and deliver training to both community members and small and medium-sized organisations on the internet and computer related topics. This goes towards the Government’s aim of being a leading digital economy by 2020. There will only be 40 Hubs across the whole of Australia, so I feel privileged to be able to run one,” explained Carrie.

“I am proud to have successfully adapted to working in another country. Working in Australia is a different beast, especially when you are working in HR with different legislation and working practices. Whilst my knowledge, skills and experience were all transferable, without my grounding in international business from UCLan, I doubt I would have been able to progress so far in my career so quickly, or come as far as I have.”

TOP TIP FOR UNDERGRADUATES: Studying can be an incredibly rewarding experience – not only from the knowledge you gain, but the relationships you build and the insight into how you work best. Any momentary negatives such as a stressful day are far outweighed by the positives.